Player Who Means the Most to You

[gkIrish]

With Lynch leaving it got me thinking about who I would be most sad to see leave unexpectedly. My goal is not for this thread to be about who is most likely to leave (hopefully no one else) or to lament about Lynch...rather I want to know who is the most important to you. Factors to consider are:

Talent/ potential
Position (including depth and importance)
Eligibility years left
Intangibles
Rootability
Pretty much anything else

Pick anyone on the team, coming next year, or a verbal commit if you feel that strongly about him.

I would pick Davonte Neal. I really think this kid has tremendous upside and can make a huge impact on 2 or even all 3 units. Also has 4 years of eligibility left. Seems like a real good kid too. I thought he handled the school incident well after his initial error in judgment

 

[phork]

Gunner. Simply put, ND can't compete with the slop its been rolling out with since Clausen left.

 

[D-BOE34]

Heggie

 

[D-BOE34]

Now that we got that out of the way.

I would have to go with Gunner as well. A solid QB is what we need. He can be that guy for 3/4 years I feel.

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

Manti

Just another coach on the field. A true leader in every facet of the game.

 

[Zbi]

Louis Nix without him in the middle our defense is not the same.

 

[D-BOE34]

Louis Nix without him in the middle our defense is not the same.

But he's not even a starter!

 

[Emcee77]

lol, Heggie. It would be a great story if he became a starter or contributor but in the practice vids he has been knocked ten yards backward by KLM and then beaten in a one-on-one drill by Jarrett Grace, a linebacker, not even DL.

Grace and Niklas are the only ones I can think of who might be better picks for this question than Gunner and Davonte Neal (Manti would definitely be the pick except that this is his last season of eligibility, so it just depends on how you look at it. If I'm looking at this with next year in mind then I'm definitely picking either Manti or Eifert.) Grace is shaping up to be the next Manti, and Gunner and Neal are extremely talented players who will help out at positions of extreme need (no matter where Neal plays that will be true).

I think ultimately I'll go with Niklas though. He is such an incredible athlete and I feel he will provide a huge boost to our offense as a blocker as well as a receiver. Plus, his ability to play any of at least three defensive positions if we get into a bind with injuries is great.

 

[IrishinTN]

Tuitt. His presence will be immense.

 

[irishff1014]

I am going Bennett Jackson. Alot of people are over looking him i really think he is going to become a huge leader and play maker on the defense.

 

[CanadalovesND]

KLMFM

 

[sharksamardzija8345]

Tuitt.

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

Tough one:

Teo - He is smart, respectable to others, and the REAL BEAST
Gunner - Having a solid QB is essential to winning games
Tuitt - His stock went up alot, when that other dude quiet
Daniels - Athletic with a high ceiling in a position of need

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

Tough one:

Teo - He is smart, kind, and the REAL BEAST
Gunner - Having a solid QB is essential to winning games
Tuitt - His stock went up alot, when that other dude quiet
Daniels - Athletic with a high ceiling in a position of need

Survey says......Yes please!!! All great candidates.

 

[Irish2015]

Ignoring years of eligibility left.... Cave

 

[North Buffalo Irish]

Definitely Tuitt. He was always a little overshadowed by Lynch's recruitment (not that Tuitt's wasn't a rollercoaster) and explosive pass-rushing abilities. Tuitt may be a better overall defensive lineman when all is said and done.

 

[gkIrish]

I'll throw Eifert out there too. Especially if he stays for 2013

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

I'll throw Eifert out there too. Especially if he stays for 2013

reps.

He is the Teo of the Offence.

 

[Emcee77]

Tuitt's a great choice. Three years of eligibility left and he has already shown that he is a stud at NG or DE. Anyone see him destroy Nick Martin in the one-on-one drill in today's practice vid?? He's an absolute beast.

 

[Irishman77]

Jarret grace aka the werewolf is quickly becoming one of my favorites. I am also loving Sheldon day? I hope very soon I can say jayson smith

 

[GoldenDomer87]

I'm saying Shembo. I think this will be a break out year for him now that he is playing the right position. The d-line provides great run defense, but lacks a pass rush with Lynch gone. Shembo provides that at the Cat.

 

[irishtrinity]

Tough one:

Teo - He is smart, respectable to others, and the REAL BEAST
Gunner - Having a solid QB is essential to winning games
Tuitt - His stock went up alot, when that other dude quiet
Daniels - Athletic with a high ceiling in a position of need

Yep.. I love NIX also..

Met Teo last yr got his sig. on my stiched jersey.

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

I'm going out for one of our current verbals. Corey Robinson--the kid seems like he was brought up in a great manner, speaks well, and I can just see him being uncoverable (yeah, I said uncoverable) especially in the red zone. Just toss the ball and he'll non-nonchalantly bring it in without jumping.. all the while stiff arming a 5'11" DB.

 

[irishtrinity]

I'll throw Eifert out there too. Especially if he stays for 2013

This guy won so many games for us the last 2 yrs.. The AF game this yr his family was right behind me we were calling his name all game... Dude can make some very very hard catches and take a huge hit and hold onto the ball...

 

[koonja]

Devonte Neal because he's going to be like a Percy Harvin and make ND look sexy to future Harvin-like players.

 

[Irish Fam]

I'm going out for one of our current verbals. Corey Robinson--the kid seems like he was brought up in a great manner, speaks well, and I can just see him being uncoverable (yeah, I said uncoverable) especially in the red zone. Just toss the ball and he'll non-nonchalantly bring it in without jumping.. all the while stiff arming a 5'11" DB.

Sounds alot like pass interference...

 

[BobD]

Beau Benken is my favorite playa.

 

[Bobias]

To me, it has to be all three of my former teammates in John Goodman, Tyler Eifert, and Tony Springmann. I feel all three of thee guys will be major contributors this year, especially Tyler. Good luck to them this year.

 

[Redbar]

Manti. He is the heart and soul of this team and his presence will be influencing every kid on this team for years to come.

 

[Redbar]

I'm going out for one of our current verbals. Corey Robinson--the kid seems like he was brought up in a great manner, speaks well, and I can just see him being uncoverable (yeah, I said uncoverable) especially in the red zone. Just toss the ball and he'll non-nonchalantly bring it in without jumping.. all the while stiff arming a 5'11" DB.

I would love to see him develop into a Marques Colston type player and I think he can.